Post by Graveyardbride on Apr 18, 2015 16:27:38 GMT -5
Weird Things That Can Trigger Early Menopause
You may not think twice about the bottle of body wash you use in the shower, or the plastic container of Thai food you microwaved for dinner last night, but these things may contain chemicals that can potentially wreak havoc on your body. A recent study published in PLOS ONE that analyzed exposure to 111 chemicals in women all over the United States found that those with the highest levels in their bodies experienced menopause two to four years earlier, compared to women with the lowest levels. “That’s actually an effect that’s more profound than smoking,” says lead study author Amber R. Cooper, M.D., a reproductive endocrinologist and infertility specialist and assistant professor at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri.
So what’s the connection? “That’s one of the big, lingering questions,” says Cooper. The chemicals she studied are considered “endocrine-disrupting,” but why, exactly, they may lead to early menopause isn’t yet known. It’s also not clear whether one main chemical is causing the damage, or if multiple chemicals interacting with each other could be the problem. What’s important to understand is that it isn’t any one product that contains dangerous levels of a chemical – it’s that tiny amounts of exposure from lots of products accumulate over time. The PLOS ONE study did not analyze women who had been exposed to unusually high amounts of chemicals; it looked at everyday exposure that builds up gradually.
Unfortunately, until additional studies are able to demonstrate a distinct cause-and-effect relationship, as opposed to a mere association or link (as this study did), it is unlikely that potentially dangerous chemicals will be removed from products. This means you, as a consumer, have to be extra careful about what you purchase. To help you play it safe, we gathered a list of some of the top offenders when it comes to products that tend to contain the chemicals that were studied, such as PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls), pesticides and phthalates. Check them out, below:
Plastic Food Storage Containers. The Facts: Phthalates are often used in this type product because they make plastics softer and more flexible. The Fix: You can look for a plastic brand that says “phthalate-free,” such as Sterilite. However, some experts insist it’s best to avoid plastic altogether and buy food storage containers that are made of glass or stainless steel. If you insist on keeping your old plastic food storage containers, at the very least, do not microwave anything in them. “The chemicals in plastic aren’t bound to the product. They’re additives, so they can leach out into the food that you’re eating, and heat accelerates that,” says Simona Balan, Ph.D., senior scientist at Green Science Policy Institute in Berkeley, California. (This goes for plastic take-out containers, too.) Instead, microwave your food on glass, stainless steel, paper or on a microwave-safe dinner plate.
Personal Care Products. The Facts: This is a huge category that contains items such as shampoo, lotion and body wash. Anything that comes in a soft, plastic container is suspect – especially anything that contains a fragrance – because it could contain phthalates. The Fix: Companies do not have to list phthalates as ingredients, though they sometimes do. If you see anything on an ingredient list that ends in the word “phthalate,” don’t buy it. Look for items that are fragrance-free and check out companies that make natural, phthalate-free products, such as Burt’s Bees.
Perfume/Cologne. The Facts: Phthalates are commonly used in perfumes and colognes because they make the scent last longer, says Balan. The Fix: Switch to a natural, phthalate-free fragrance, such as a scent from Tsi-La Organics – and just keep in mind that you may have to re-apply it more often.
Frozen Meals. The Facts: Foods that come in plastic food packaging, like frozen meals, tubs of butter, yogurt, or plastic jars of pretzels could contain phthalates. The Fix: Whenever possible, avoid plastic and buy products that come in glass or paper packaging.
Fish. The Facts: There are nine PCBs that have been banned in the US since 1979, but the problem is, we’re still exposed to them – largely because they’ve gotten into the land, air and water. “They’re considered persistent chemicals, because they don’t break down. Some chemicals might be released into the environment when the chemical is made, when the chemical is added to products, when the product is used, and whenever the product is disposed of improperly. Little critters in the sea might ingest some of it, then a bigger fish may eat lots of those critters and then we might eat that fish – so it climbs up the food chain,” says Veena Singla, Ph.D., staff scientist at the Natural Resources Defense Council. The Fix: "In certain areas of the country – like in the Great Lakes area, for example – some bodies of water may contain fish that have higher levels of PCBs, because historically, PCBs may have been manufactured or disposed of there. If you sport fish, pay attention to advisories for specific lakes and rivers,“ says Singla. PCBs tend to build up the most in fish that are fatty and in those that eat many other fish (i.e., larger, older fish). So when purchasing fish at a grocery store or restaurant, choose those that are low in fat, small and young. And contact your state health department for more information about fish and bodies of water in your region.
Dairy and Meat. The Facts: PCBs creep into dairy and meat products the same way that they creep into fish. The Fix: You can choose organic dairy and meat products at the supermarket to make sure that antibiotics and growth hormones aren’t allowed. However, even organic products may contain PCBs because the chemicals are still present in our environment. So your best bet is simply to reduce your consumption of these items, if possible. For example, try taking “meatless Monday” to a new level by going 100% vegetarian once a week.
Fruits and Vegetables. The Facts: The issue with regular fruits and vegetables at the supermarket is that many of them are sprayed with toxic pesticides. The Fix: The good news is that buying organic produce as often as your budget allows means you can avoid consuming pesticides.
Candles and Air Fresheners. The Facts: Though you probably want your home to smell good, in 2011, the National Resources Defense Council tested 14 air fresheners and found that 12 contained phthalates (even those marketed as “all-natural” or “unscented”). And if you’re using candles that contain synthetic fragrances, they may also contain phthalates. The Fix: Choose a soy-based or beeswax-based candle with a lead-free wick that is made with essential oils and/or phthalate-free fragrances, such as Soylar Candles.
Old Plastic Toys. The Facts: In February 2009 in the US, six types of phthalates were banned for use in certain plastic child care products (i.e., for children under age 3). If children put toys made before this ban into their mouths, they could ingest small amounts of these chemicals. The Fix: Don’t accept plastic hand-me-down toys intended for younger children unless you know for sure that they were manufactured after February 2009. And if you buy a plastic toy manufactured in a foreign country, keep in mind that particular country may not have laws forbidding the inclusion of certain phthalates.
Source: Jane Bianchi, Prevention, April 18, 2015.